Abstract

This study evaluated the role of cell source in the boundary lubrication of engineered meniscus tissue. To accomplish this, both primary meniscal fibrochondrocytes (FCC) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were obtained from neonatal bovine, seeded in high density collagen gels (20mg/mL collagen with 25×106totalcells/mL) at various MSC:FCC ratios, and cultured for two weeks. After culture, the boundary friction coefficient, mechanical properties, surface roughness, and lubricin localization were all evaluated for engineered constructs. A strong correlation between MSC content and boundary friction coefficient was found (R2=0.948). Aggregate modulus, permeability, and surface roughness revealed insignificant trends with MSC content; however, lubricin localization was highly correlated with increasing MSC content (R2=0.902). Similarly, boundary friction coefficient had no significant trends with modulus, permeability, or roughness, but lubricin localization was significantly correlated with the boundary friction coefficient (R2=0.800). Collectively, these data revealed a structure-function relationship in meniscus tissue engineering that is dictated by cell source. Specifically, the connection between MSC content, lubricin localization, and boundary friction coefficient reveal a method through which tuning the lubricating properties of engineered tissue is possible.

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